by Gina Scarpa

 

The minute we met Kim Nielsen this season on The Biggest Loser, we knew she was a fighter. The former pro wrestler broke her back in a match but returned to the sport after just ten months. After becoming overweight, she decided to compete on The Biggest Loser and found herself without an ally as the finale was approaching. She relied on the person she trusted most, herself, dropping 15 pounds to secure her place in the finals and weighed in 118 pounds later than the day she stepped foot on the ranch. She finished second, after Jeremy, and we talked to her today about her Biggest Loser experience and transformation.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was it tough to come into The Biggest Loser without a loved one?
A. Kim: No, because I had no idea that it was a couples season. It may have been to my advantage because I never relied on anyone to help me through the game.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you have a bond with Emily because you were the only ones without a family member?
A. Kim: I have a bond with her because we clicked immediately. We are actually quite opposite in a lot of ways, and I learned how to show a softer side of myself because of her! She's incredibly funny, one of the most beautiful singers, and I will love her forever!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: There was a lot of drama throughout the season but it seemed like you started to move away from being involved in it. Did you shift your focus into just losing weight and making it to the finale?
A. Kim: There's always going to be drama when 20 people are placed in a house 24/7 where your calories are reduced, you workout 8 hours a day, and have absolutely no contact with the outside world. I was focused on losing weight and winning the whole thing from day one, but I guess a little drama found me at first!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You and your son seem to have a very special relationship. What has his support meant to you?
A. Kim: My son is amazing... very loving and kind. His support meant that I was able to leave my life at home, focus solely on myself and succeed on the ranch. My daughters, Tycen and Sanaa also had to sacrifice by moving to a different state to go to school. The experience was a lot to ask of my kids, but they wanted to see me happy and healthy. They have a new and improved mom now!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The episode where the cast walked off set and Mark and Buddy quit was easily one of the most shocking in the show's history. How close were you to leaving?
A. Kim: I was never going to leave. I was just upset that I had come so far with these other four incredible people and that we all wouldn't be moving forward. I had always had a close relationship with Mark. He was my "gym buddy". We competed against each other every day in the gym. Buddy and I had just established a close relationship that was cut short at the ranch because he left but remains solid today and will forever!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You absolutely killed it on the scale in that last week before the finale. What do you attribute your success to?
A. Kim: I wanted to be one of the final three so incredibly bad and the incentive of winning a car didn't hurt either!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How was your time at home preparing for the finale?
A. Kim: It was stressful because I was finally home but not really home in a normal capacity. I was still competing so my focus couldn't be on catching up at home with my friends and family.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You put up a good fight against Jeremy for the title of The Biggest Loser. How do you feel about his win and your success?
A. Kim: Thank you! When Jeremy got on the scale and I saw his weight, I knew I didn't have a chance. I could not have lost another 11 pounds and looked good. I wanted to come out on that stage looking healthy and strong, and I feel like I did that. I'm thrilled with all that I accomplished! I feel and look like a new person!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What do you want to do next?
A. Kim: I would love to be a trainer on The Biggest Loser right next to Bob and Dolvett! I was a personal trainer for about 5 years before becoming a professional wrestler. I gave it up when I signed with WWE because I couldn't do both. I think having, literally, been in the shoes of the contestants would give me a unique approach to help them through the process of getting their lives back.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Anything else you'd like to add?
A. Kim: I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity on The Biggest Loser! It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I would do it a million times over. I've learned so much about myself, and you can't put a $250,000 price tag on that!

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

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